Converging Paths

This the week. So many paths have led me here and this is the week they converge to forge a new path, a new beginning.

I wrote this a few months back thinking about those many paths.

One of the things I keep saying is that I seem to have lost so much of what I learned in school. History, for example, seems so fuzzy in my brain even though I really love it. (Cody doesn’t love it nearly as much though- which probably contributes to the problem.)

Do you ever have mornings when you’re getting ready and your brain just seems to make these leaps? Well, this morning was one of those mornings- at least this time I could track it all. So, I was thinking about that sink hole that is all the stuff I learned in school. I started thinking about how I could have majored in History. I really do love it. But, I knew I’d be faced with the same problem my mother was- what do you do with that degree?

And, then, the first leap happened. What difference does it make? I don’t use my degree, well most of it anyways. My degree is in Agriculture and I don’t work anywhere near the ag world. (Now, mind you, my major was agribusiness and I minored in business- I use a lot of the concepts but not in the same field.) I do think that at least for most folks I know it matters more that you have a degree than what you’re degree is in. So maybe I could have majored in History. But who am I kidding, I could have majored in a lot of things. And if I went back to school today, I really have no idea how I’d choose. I love learning and my interests are so spread out.

And, then came the second leap. It’s really an illustration of exactly where I am today- and where I’ve been. There was a time I would have loved to have land and cattle. But, now, it’s not even a consideration. My life has changed and it’s changed me. Land and cattle, well, they were part of settling down. At the time, that’s what I thought I would do- settle down, start a family. But, God had other plans. We don’t have kids; won’t have kids. It means that I don’t have to settle down- at least not in that sense. If we don’t have kids, I don’t want to be saddled with something else. It’s the same reason we don’t have pets or, even, right now, a yard. (In all honesty, sometimes the fact that we don’t have kids is more than enough to be saddled with.) I guess I’m settling into what our life is now. It’s just Cody and I and, in that, there’s a freedom that I never imagined I’d have.

It’s where we are at right now. We are loving that we can head out on an adventure when we want. It’s funny, because lately, I feel like I’m living my life backward. In college, I was pretty much the responsible one. It was all on a course that wasn’t to be. And, now, well, I’ve seen more bars this past year than I have my entire life- all for the love of music and concerts in smaller venues. I’m hoping we hit the road soon just to get out and see more of this country. We’re restless. Maybe, it’s the changes we can feel coming. I think we’re ready to see what’s out there and see where this crazy ride takes us. At least, I know I am. We can’t help but wonder what God has in store for us now. But, that’s the whole thing. Life is an adventure out on some open road yet unknown to us. All the while he’s leading us.

At the time, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to give voice to where I was headed- or making it happen. But, this week, I’m letting him lead me onward towards a new path, settling into the restlessness, and opening up to a new adventure. It’s time for Cody and I to enjoy the ride and see where this crazy little life of our leads now.